Normative database of retinal nerve fiber layer and macular retinal thickness in a Thai population

To investigate the distribution of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a Thai population.We studied one eye each of 250 healthy subjects [ageor = 18 years; spherical refractive error within +/-6 diopters (D); astigmatismor =3 D; no ocular pathology]. A complete eye examination, standard automated perimetry, and fast RNFL and macular thickness measurement by OCT were performed, and a disc photograph was taken. The distributions of both thicknesses, including their relationship with demographic data, were analyzed.The mean +/- SD age of the study population was 44.7 +/- 12.2 years. The mean +/- SD RNFL thickness was 109.3 +/- 10.5 m, which was 10% thicker than that in the OCT normative database. RNFL decreased 2.3 m per decade (P0.001). Sex and spherical equivalent were not associated with RNFL thinning. The mean +/- SD central foveal thickness was 183.2 +/- 1.3 m. The macular thickness in the outer area was significantly thinner than that in the inner area (P0.001). The temporal regions were the thinnest among the four quadrants (P0.001). Thinning of all macular areas, except the center, was found to be associated with advancing age (P0.05).RNFL thickness in the measured Thai population was about 10% thicker than that in the original normative database. Macular thickness and RNFL thickness in the superior and inferior quadrants decreased with advancing age.